 Elizabeth Calzadilla-Fiallo
Media and Public Relations Manager
Elizabeth Calzadilla-Fiallo joined the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department in June of 2006. She previously served as the first bilingual Public Information Officer at the Broward Sheriff's Office. Prior to her media relations experience, Mrs. Calzadilla-Fiallo spent several years in broadcast news in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. She was an anchor and reporter for MediaOne Headline News and El Noticiero Miavision. She later worked as the weekend managing editor for WFOR-TV, the CBS affiliate in Miami.
Calzadilla-Fiallo's dedication to media and public relations in the public safety sector has earned her several awards. In 2005, Calzadilla-Fiallo was presented with the Hurricane Wilma Hero Award for her efforts to ensure continuity of patient care at a Broward County hospital during the passing of the storm. A South Florida native, Mrs. Calzadilla-Fiallo is a graduate of Florida International University with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications with a specialty in Broadcast Journalism.
 Lt. Eddy Ballester
Public Information Officer
Lt. Eddy Ballester is a 20-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. A graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High, Lt. Ballester holds two associate degrees from Miami Dade College in Arts and Fire Science Technology, and he earned a bachelor's degree in Emergency Medical Services from North American University in Utah. Lt. Ballester is a Fire Service Instructor and teaches basic life support, advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. Prior to his promotion to lieutenant in 1992, Ballester worked as an instructor in MDFR's Training Division, assisting with fire recruit and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training for MDFR's EMTs and paramedics. Lt. Ballester served as a station rescue lieutenant until he joined the Media & Public Relations Bureau in September 2006.
Ballester's excellence in patient care, and his professional and public education have earned him several awards. In 1991, the Florida EMS Bureau named Ballester as the state's first EMS Educator of the Year. In 1998, he was given a federal EMS for Children (EMSC) Program National Heroes Award as the National EMSC Provider of the Year for his work in South Florida promoting pediatric drowning and injury prevention, and training medical professionals and members of the public in CPR and other life-saving skills.
 Lt. Elkin Sierra
Public Information Officer
Lt. Elkin Sierra joined MDFR as a recruit in August 1992, just one week prior to the devastation of Hurricane Andrew. After working several years on Rescue 47 in Miami-Dade's Westchester area, where he grew up, Sierra was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in November of1999. When off-duty, Lt. Sierra has always kept busy teaching paramedic courses at Miami Dade College to police officers and firefighter recruits. He also taught advanced cardiac life support at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Training and Simulation Laboratory.
Lt. Sierra joined the Media & Public Relations Bureau as a Public Information Officer in early 2006.
He holds an associate degree in EMS from Miami-Dade College and is a licensed private pilot.
 Lt. Arnold Piedrahita, Jr .
Public Information Officer
Lt. Arnold Piedrahita, Jr. is the newest member of the Media & Public Relations Bureau, having joined as a Public Information Officer in October of 2007. Lt. Piedrahita began his career more than a decade ago as a paramedic firefighter with the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Department, where he served for five years. He joined MDFR in 2002 and acquired certifications as a Technical Rescue and Hazardous Materials Technician. He has also served as a Rescue Specialist with the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team.
Lt. Piedrahita is a native of South Florida. He graduated from Homestead Senior High School and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville.
 Alejandra Castro-Nunez
Public Information Officer
Alejandra Castro-Nuñez has been a Public Information Officer with MDFR since February 2006. She began her career in Miami-Dade County as a media specialist for former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas. In 2003, she joined the office of Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa as director of communications.
Prior to joining the County, Castro-Nuñez spent several years in broadcast cable news in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area where she worked as an anchor/reporter for MediaOne Headline News and El Noticiero Miavision. Castro-Nuñez has a bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of Miami.
 Cristina Armand
Public Information Officer
Cristina Armand joined MDFR's Media & Public Relations Bureau in June of 2006. Prior to that, Armand worked in the travel and tourism public relations field at Lou Hammond & Associates and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. She also freelanced as a publicist for several local high-end restaurants, but her life-long passion for public safety is what led her to MDFR.
Armand is a native South Floridian who graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor's degree in public relations. She also attended La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain.
 Yemar Reus
Video Production Technician/ Department Photographer
Yemar Reus has been employed by Miami-Dade County for more than 15 years. He currently works as MDFR's video production technician and department photographer, a position he has held since 2002. Reus began his career with the County as a summer intern for the Community Action Agency in June of 1991. The following year, he was hired as a support specialist for the County Manager's Office. In 1997, he joined the staff of former County Mayor Alex Penelas, where he worked in the public affairs section as a logistics coordinator.
Reus is a native South Floridian who graduated from Coral Park Senior High School in southwest Miami-Dade.
 Alexandra Gomez-Diaz
Bureau Clerk
Alexandra Gomez-Diaz joined MDFR in August of 2006 as a receptionist for the Office of the Fire Chief. In May 2007, she transferred to the Media & Public Relations Bureau where she currently works as a clerk and administrative assistant to the bureau manger. Gomez-Diaz has an extensive clerical background in the medical field, having worked at several local dialysis centers in South Florida as a patient care technician and administrative secretary.
A native of Venezuela, Alexandra moved to South Florida as a child with her family and graduated from Sunset Senior High School in southwest Miami-Dade County.
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